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Kemin collaborated with the American Optometric Association (AOA), at The Principal Charity Classic/PGA Champions Tour earlier this month to raise awareness about eye health and nutrition.

Kemin | Jul 01, 2011

Kemin, the makers of the most clinically researched lutein brand worldwide*, FloraGLO® Lutein , collaborated with the American Optometric Association (AOA), at The Principal Charity Classic/PGA Champions Tour earlier this month to raise awareness about eye health and nutrition. The two companies created a FloraGLO Vision Pavilion on the 18th hole where spectators were able to have a simple test administered to measure their Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD). This test measures the levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the eyes and is becoming readily available to patients as more and more eye doctors recognize the significance of MPOD and are offering MPOD testing in their practices. Research indicates that people need 10 mg of lutein every day through diet and eye vitamins in order to protect their eyes and keep them healthy. Most Americans are only getting 2 mg or less of this essential nutrient through their diet alone.

A senior vice president of Kemin, Linda Fullmer, says, “Nearly half of the U.S. population has low levels of lutein in their eyes (low MPOD), putting them at risk for developing certain eye conditions as they age. Too many people are still unaware that there are easy steps, like taking a daily eye vitamin that can protect, prolong and improve their visual performance. ”

Susan Thomas of the AOA echoes Fullmer’s sentiments, “ The American Optometric Association and its affiliate, the Iowa Optometric Association, welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate to the public the importance of good vision and visual skills for not just a good golf game, but in everyday life. Regular eye exams are key to maintaining healthy vision, and the Vision Pavilion was an excellent venue to deliver that message.”

Fullmer adds, “In addition to helping protect our vision, clinical research shows that daily use of eye vitamins with 10 mg of FloraGLO Lutein helps our eyes better tolerate and recover more quickly from glare. **Glare—which can come from man-made and natural sources including head-on headlights from night-time driving, other bright lights and sunlight—is something we all can encounter on a daily basis.”

During the three-day event, hundreds of attendees had their MPOD levels measured as well as more than 40 of the participating pro golfers who often have to battle the bright sun while out on the course.

Kemin® – Inspired Molecular Solutions™

Founded in 1961, Kemin Industries (http://www.kemin.com/) is celebrating its 50th Anniversary of providing “inspired molecular solutions” specifically developed to provide nutrition and health benefits for humans and animals. Kemin manufactures and distributes approximately 500 specialty ingredients worldwide to the feed and food industries as well as to the health, nutrition and beauty markets. Kemin ingredients positively impact more than 1.4 billion people a day.

Kemin Health, L.C. is credited with successfully commercializing lutein and significantly developing the eye supplement category under the FloraGLO® Lutein brand (http://www.floraglolutein.com/) brochure,the leading and most researched lutein ingredient brand sold worldwide. FloraGLO brand lutein provides the same lutein as is naturally found in vegetables and other foods to keep eyes healthy and functioning at their best. It is the lutein brand trusted and recommended by more doctors* and is the brand clinically proven to be absorbed by the body and to increase lutein levels in the eye for optimal protection.

About the American Optometric Association (AOA):

The American Optometric Association represents approximately 36,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Optometrists serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country, and in 3,500 of those communities are the only eye doctors. Doctors of optometry provide two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States.

American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors on the frontline of eye and vision care who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in a patient’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Prior to optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Required undergraduate coursework for pre-optometry students is extensive and covers a wide variety of advanced health, science and mathematics. Optometry school consists of four years of post-graduate, doctoral study concentrating on both the eye and systemic health. In addition to their formal training, doctors of optometry must undergo annual continuing education to stay current on the latest standards of care. For more information, visit http://www.aoa.org/.